Culture: Historic Churches: Page 2

Southern Maryland is steep in American history. European settlers first arrived on St. Clement's Island in March 1634 aboard the Ark and Dove sailing ships. As the settlers spread inland, they carried their strong Catholic Christian beliefs with them. For this reason, the tri-county area is populated with many historic churches dating back to the 1600's. Many of the churches bear great religious and historic significance. For example, the Mount Carmel Monastery in La Plata was the first monastery of religious women in Colonial America. The St. Ignatius Church in Port Tobacco is the nation's oldest active parish with a continual pastorate.

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Southern Maryland was one of the first colonial settlements. As such, it is steep in culture and history. Many fine books have been written about our local history. This is the only on-line location where you will find most of them.

St. Andrew's Parish was created by the Maryland Provincial Assembly in 1744. In 1766 the vestry decided to build a church which was completed in 1776. The church stands today essentially unchanged.

St. Andrew's is a very active Episcopal community with around 110 families. Children are welcome at all services or they may stay in the nursery with our free child care providers. Services are at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays, with Sunday School beginning at 9:15 a.m. Please call the church or stop by and visit the parish office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Beverly Weatherly, Rector.

It is the vision of the people who are St. George's Episcopal Church to live our Faith by reaching out to the physical and spiritual needs of all people through caring ministries that respect our heritage, address the needs of our community and look to provide hope for the future. We seek to create and nurture an open community of healing and trust that will foster growth as a joyous family in Christ.
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Established in 1641, this church has one of the oldest cemeteries in America. Exceptional stained glass windows and alter. It is located immediately before the front gate of the St. Inigoes Detachment of the Patuxent River Naval Air Warface Center (NAWC-AD).
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The church was founded in 1641 by the Reverend Andrew White. The Reverend was among a group of Catholic settlers who arrived in Maryland on the Ark and Dove in 1634. St. Ignatius is currently the oldest active parish with a continual pastorate. From it's 120-foot bluff on Chapel Point, the church commands a majestic view of the Port Tobacco River where it joins the Potomac. A Civil War era tunnel runs under the cemetery to the river. It is possible that this was used by runaway slaves in the Underground Railroad.